Categories
ASEAN Politics & government

[786] Of white elephant for the Thai monarch

In The Star today:

The Nation reported that all “white” elephants found in Thailand must be presented to the king and become his sole ownership.

“White elephants are regarded as auspicious. The more a monarch acquires during a reign, the more prosperous and happy his kingdom will be,” according to The Nation.

Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

If no, Malaysia does have a “white elephant” in Johor. Since the Thais see white elephants as auspicious, they’d appreciate Malaysia offering our white elephant to them as, er, gift of friendship.

Categories
Politics & government

[783] Of a man of principle

I admire Shahrir Abdul Samad, an UMNO representative from Johor Bahru. He is true to himself unlike so many others:

Shahrir Resigns From BN Backbenchers Club Chairman Post

KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 (Bernama) — Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad Thursday resigned as the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club chairman as many BN members of parliament did not support the motion without notice to refer a news report in the New Straits Times to the parliamentary rights and privileges committee Thursday.

It all first started with a news report by the New Straits Times:

Nudge, nudge. Wink, wink…
Customs ignored MP’s request
Hamidah Atan and Farrah Naz Karim

PUTRAJAYA: A Member of Parliament allegedly asked the Customs and Excise Department to “close one eye” in a case involving the import of sawn timber.

It is learnt that the department has submitted a detailed report on the MP’s alleged interference into the seizure of sawn timber brought in from Indonesia at Sungai Linggi recently.

The MP is said to have gone to the Malacca Customs Office on April 14 to “settle” the matter. He had allegedly requested that the department “close one eye” in handling the case.

The MP according to Malaysiakini is from Jasin, Malacca.

It’s disturbing to see the one that should resign stays while the one that should stay resigns. Even worse, the majority is not only uninterested in pursuing justice, but they are shielding the MP in question from possible inquiry. Though short of legalizating corruption, if this continues without check, kleptocracy will not be impossible. This is one of the reasons why Malaysia needs a stronger opposition in the Parliament.

All is not lost though. The Malacca Customs did their work and therefore, deserve praises for what they have done. Or haven’t done.

Categories
Photography Politics & government

[782] Of a flower on May Day

There is too much red today and I feel compelled to add two different colors to an already bloody reddish day. And for the past few weeks, I’ve been adding too many photos about architecture. So, I hope that this is breath of fresh air for you because this ain’t another red rose or red brick.

Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved

Earlier in January, I said that an old building’s facade in Kuala Lumpur is my best shot yet so far this year . Well, it was my best shot until I managed this macro shot of a flower . I don’t know about you but I’ll say, this is a goddamned pretty picture. The shot was taken a little over two weeks ago near Jalan Parlimen where Tugu Negara stands.

I have one problem though – I don’t know the name of the flower. Somebody at Wikipedia suggested that the flower might be yellow toreador (Celosia sristata). A search on Google reveals that it isn’t so. The leaves look too different.

If there is any kind soul who knows the name of the flower, please do tell me!

Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved

p/s – have you heard of NYSE Hostage? The ad first came up in the New York Times last friday.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A mysterious advertisement in Friday’s New York Times accusing the New York Stock Exchange of bowing to terrorist threats has again spotlighted the struggle of controversial animal-testing company Life Sciences Research Inc. to get a listing on the Big Board.

Seems like a new war between animal right activists and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved

pp/s – w00t for the Singaporean opposition:

PAP Not Doing Enough To Forge Close Relations With M’sia – SDA

By Jackson Sawatan

SINGAPORE, April 30 (Bernama) — The opposition Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) has criticised the People’s Action Party (PAP) over the state of relations between the republic and its neighbour Malaysia.

The economic union sounds good but I still prefer an ASEAN-wide version. But an economic union with Singapore might be the first step in that direction.

So, let’s break some Singaporean anti-democratic law . I endorse this particular Singapore Democratic Alliance’s policy. Singaporeans, vote for the opposition!

Yeah, I’m shouting without really knowing what’s going on down south. Still, having PAP in Singapore (and BN in Malaysia) up at the top for too long is bad for both Singaporeans and Malaysians’ health!

Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved

ppp/s – our own Rajan seems to have taken interest in Singaporean election. Also, Workers’ Party’s rally. Huge. (via)

Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved

p4/s – about the flower, two persons at Wikipedia, one at the science reference desk and the other at WikiProject Tree of Life suggest that it might be indeed Celosia cristata. However, the two suggest two different common name; one as earlier, yellow toreador and another cockscomb.

Categories
Economics Politics & government Sports

[780] Of blue is the color of the day

What a wonderful day it is day. It could never go wrong one way or the other because earlier today, there was a match between two English clubs that I feel no love for. One, Chelsea and the other, Manchester United. Win, lose or draw, I would get to celebrate and celebrate I did. Manchester United got creamed at Stamford Bridge. 3 – 0. Three against nil. Tiga kosong kawan!

Throughout the game, especially in the second half, Manchester United was dominated by Chelsea. It was satisfying. It is satisfying. Of course, the downside is the fact that that win makes Chelsea as the season’s champion, yet again. But I think I can suffer Jose Mourinho’s antic as long as Manchester United gets a beating. Hey, you can’t always get too much of a good thing. So, this tradeoff is just fine by me.

The only pity I felt for anybody between the two teams is for Edwin van der Sar. Too bad he’s an Ajacied, being on the wrong side. And for Rooney too. I don’t like his temper but that injury is much too cruel for a punishment, especially when it’s so close to the upcoming World Cup in June in Germany. I hope his injury is not too serious. I hope that injury won’t prevent him from making to the World Cup.

My goal of the match is definitely Joe Cole’s. The goal is a case of brilliant assessment of the situation. It could be just plain luck but it’s brilliant nonetheless. As for the third goal, it describes Manchester United – a sinking boat. Hooray!

You know what would be better? Liverpool pushing Manchester United into third place.

Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved

p/s – have you ever wondered the correlation between Bush’s approval rating and gas price? Well, wonder no more. The Big Picture explains.

Categories
Politics & government Sports

[778] Of ties with Israel

The other day on Bernama, there was a short writeup about Malaysian diplomatic ties with Israel. In it:

No Intention Yet To Establish Ties With Israel

KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 (Bernama) — Malaysia never had diplomatic links with Israel so far and the government has no intention of changing the status quo in the near future, said the Foreign Ministry’s Parliamentary Secretary Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

“This is because Tel Aviv is yet to fulfil certain conditions, therefore there is no reason why Malaysia should review its current stand,” he said in reply to Salahuddin Haji Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian) at the Dewan Rakyat here, Monday.

It’s a no and I agree with it.

Despite that, I feel it would be ideal if Malaysia could befriend every country in this world without prejudice; that includes Israel. All else being equal, ties between the two countries would benefit both. I’m sure Malaysia has something to learn from Israel and Israel likewise.

This isolation by Malaysia prevents economic opportunity that could arise from the Malaysian-Israelis ties from developing. At the same time, seven ASEAN members have diplomatic relations with Israel. If an Israeli firm wanted to invest in Southeast Asia, the firm would have to cancel out Malaysia and consider our neighbors instead. That would be opportunity lost; Malaysia’s loss is somebody else’s gain.

My wish to see ties with Israel however doesn’t mean I support many Israeli policies. I disagree with Israel withholding the Palestinian taxmoney and landgrab the resulted from the separation barrier.

Despite possible benefits that might arise from Malaysian-Israeli relations, the world is not an ideal place. If Malaysia were to form ties with Israel, many would not be too happy about it. I’d imagine several Muslim countries would impose punitive measures on us. The simplest would Saudi Arabia to reducing haj quota for Malaysia. A more serious measure would involve economic restriction. Worse, I’d hate to see Osama bin Laden or any Muslim extremist for that matter to even speak of Malaysia, threatening us of an attack.

At the moment, it does seem to me that the cost of forming ties with Israel outweighs its benefits. I don’t think an Israeli embassy here in Kuala Lumpur is worth risking peace that at home and Muslim countries’ friendship that we enjoy currently. Hence, I can only agree with the Foreign Ministry’s Parliamentary Secretary; no ties with Israel. At least for now.

Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved Mohd Hafiz Noor Shams. Some rights reserved

p/s – Ajax 2 – 0 Groningen. First leg is won. Second leg in the Euroborg. Despite the 100% win so far in the playoff, according to De Telegraaf, Danny Blind is on his way out. Some are skeptical about that report though. As for me, I’m not sure about letting Blind or even retaining him for that matter. This season is a disappointment though some very good signings have been made by Blind for the new season.